October 14-15, 2016

The fifth day of the assembly began with invoking the Divine presence with a hymn.

Sr. Mary John introduced Sr. Shalini Mulackal PBVM, the resource person for two days. The focus of her sharing was “UNDERSTANDING RELIGIOUS LIFE AND VOWS TODAY”.

She based her presentation on the letter of Pope Francis, announcing the year of Consecrated Life and the two further letters-Gaudete (Rejoice) and Scrutate (Keep Watch) from the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life… which invite each form of consecrated life to ask itself again what is it “THAT GOD AND PEOPLE TODAY ARE ASKING OF US?   With full conviction Sr. Shalini said “YOUR VOCATION IS GOD’S ANSWER TO THE CRY OF A PERSON”.  She affirmed this statement by narrating some stories from her own personal life and other inspirational sources.

She emphasized “CONSECRATED LIFE: A CALL TO RENEW” which challenges us to a change in our mindset, thought-pattern and ideology. The differences between Mission and Ministry, Consecrated Life and Religious Life were discussed with great significance. She stressed that we have constitutions loaded with meaning, but we need to dwell upon each word sufficiently to get the deeper meaning and relevance of it in today’s context. It is important to know WHAT ONE IS SET APART FOR?

On the second day of her sharing, Sr. Shalini dealt on the theme “Consecrated Women in the Mission of the Church” through a Feminist Eye. Consecrated men and women are called to follow Christ in an intimate way, to share in His feelings (cf. Phil 2: 5), to learn from Him, who is meek and humble of heart (cf. Mt 11:29), to accomplish together with Him the will of the Father (cf. Jn. 6: 28), and to follow Him in the way of the cross. She also shared about the deeper meaning of religious vows (again from the feminist point of view).

Sr. Maria Theresia facilitated the session of the day and Sr. Maria Jose (Spain-Portugal) gave the word of thanks and a token of gratitude.